Hoisting means for use in silos.



I. F. CATRUN 6; I. W. WHEELER. HolsTlNG MEANS F-on UVsE m slLos.

APPLICATION FILED OCT. 26| 1.914.

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NTTE @Fhlfi JAMES CTRON AND TG1-QN "W. VHEELER, 0F THQMAS, OKLAHOMA.

HOISTING MEANS FOR USE IN SILOS.

Application led October 2G, 1914.

To all wlw/m, t may 'concern Be it known that we, Jnirns F. Carnon and JOHN W. VrrnnLnn, citizens of the United States, residing at Thomas, in the county of Custer and State of klahoina, have invented certain new and useful linprovements in Hoisting Means for Use in Silos, of which the following` is a specification.

This invention relates to silos, and has for its object the production of a means whereby ensilage in a pit silo can be easily and quickly brought te the surface without the need of a person entering the silo.

Another ob] ect of this invention is to provide a means for lifting the contents of a pit silo that includes a movable platform which is moved by an operating screw disposed centrally of the silo, and the same is in turn operated by suitable gearing to which power of any kind can be applied.

A still further object of this invention the production of a device for use in pit silos as above set forth, and means is provided in the silo whereby air or water can be fed to the same beneath the lifting platform thereof, so that the movement of the platform relative to the silo will be facilitated. i

A still further object of this invention is the production of a device of the kind above described, that is simple in construction, efficient in operation, consists of the minimum number of parts and therefore can be manufactured for the minimum amount.

With these and other objects in view, this invention consists of certain novel constructions, combinations, and arrangement of parts, as will be hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings is shown a vertical section of the silo with the improved means mounted thereon and in connection thereto.

451' Referring to the parts by reference nu- Specification of Letters Patent.

rat-entes sept. a, fait.

Serial No. 868,753.

10 extends for a distance above the surface of the ground, and in connection with that portion that extends above the surface, are uprights la that are connected at their uppermost points with a cross beam 15. This frame that is made up of the beams 14; and 15 forms an eiiicient supporting means for one end of the operating screw 16 that is journaled in the beam 1o intermediate the length thereof, and is thus positioned centrally of the silo 10, and at its opposite end to that which is journaled through the beam 15, the same is provided with an enlarged smooth head 1T that is positioned in the socket 13 formed in the block 12. It will thus be seen that this screw 16 is capable of rotary movement in the silo in that any lubricating material can be placed in the socket 13 and thus facilitate the movement of the head 17 therein. Carried on the upper face of the beam 15, is a bearing 18, through which a power shaft 19 passes, and has at one end thereof a beveled gear 20; the

` said gear 2O meshing with a second beveled gear 21 that is keyed to the uppermost portion of the shaft 16, the said gear 21 being positioned above the beam 15. Driving means is thus provided for the screw 16, and any suitable source of power can be applied to the rod 19, and by rotary movement thereof and by means of the gears 20 and 21, the said screw 16 is given the desired rotary motion.

, A lifting platform 22 is provided with this device, and the same is preferably cireular in cross section, it of course being readily understood that this platform conforms in shape to the contour of the inner wall or walls of the silo with which this device is adapted to be used, and the pe riphery of said platform 22 is in engagement with the oil paper 11. Formed cen trally of this platform 22, is an opening 23, the same being provided for the reception of the screw 16, and on the underface of said blatform 22 adjacent the opening 23.is a bracing or reinforcing collar 241;. It will be seen that the collar 211 and the opening 23 are not provided with threads, thus the screw 16 is free to move therein. A screw block 25 having the threads thereof in engagement with the threads on the screw 16 is provided with this device, and eyes 26 are secured thereto that in turn carry rods 27 having one end thereof threaded, and secured adjacent the periphery of the plat form 22 are rods 2S also having one end of the same threaded, and connecting these rods 27 and 28 are turnbuckles 29 so that the platform 22 is in Connection and is carried by the screw block 25, therefore it will be seen that by movement of the screw 16 the block 25 is moved relatively thereto, and inasmuch as the same carries therewith a platform 22, the said platform is moved with the block..

In one side of the silo adjacent the bottom thereof, there is formed a vent 30, and has connected therewith a pipe 31 that eX- tends upwardly to and above the surface so as to admit air to the silo, and if it is so desired water can also be passed through the said pipe 31 and into the silo. It is of course obvious that this water and air thus conducted to the said silo is beneath the said platform 22. v

VIn operation, as above stated, power will be applied to the shaft 19, and by means of 'the gears 20 and 21 the screw 1G is rotated. Because of the engagement of the periphery of the platform with the covering 11 the platform is secured from rotary movement and therefore by the rotation of the screw 16 and because of its threaded engagement with the block 25 the platform is raised or lowered as the case may be. After the platform has been moved upwardly and all of the ensilage has been removed from the silo, the upright beams 14E are of such height that the said platform can be moved beyond the upper end of the silo, and admittance to the silo can be had for the cleaning of the same and the oiling of the block 12. It will'thus be seen that an eflicient hoisting means for the contents of the silo has been provided that is very simple in 4construction and will be very eflicient in operation.

It is obvious that minor changes may be made in the form and construction of this invention without departing from the material .parts thereof.` It is therefore not wished to confine the invention to the exact form hereinv shown and described, but it is wished to include all such as properly come within the scope claimed.

We claim- In a device of the kind described, a silo, a platform therein, the periphery of said platform engaging the inner wall of said silo, means for moving said platform whereby the contents of said silo can be raised, a pipe adjacent said silo having one end thereof positioned above the surface of the ground and therother end positioned in said silo adjacent the bottom thereof whereby air and water can be fed into said silo beneath said platform.

ln testimony whereof we aliX our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

JAMES F. CATRON. JOHN W. WHEELER.

Witnesses:

G. E. BUnsoN, CLIFFORD A. SHAW.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

